Scientologists reveal £6m plan to restore Moseley mansion

The Church revealed that the former Pitmaston building in Moor Green Lane could be up and running as its new regional headquarters within just 12 months, providing educational facilities for the whole community.

THE Church of Scientology’s £6 million plan to restore a listed mansion in Moseley for its Midland base could be complete within a year – with an open invitation to the entire community.

The religious sect ended years of silence over its scheme with a public consultation exercise at the Mac in Cannon Hill Park, which lifted the lid on the long-awaited facelift project.

The Church revealed that the former Pitmaston building in Moor Green Lane could be up and running as its new regional headquarters within just 12 months, providing educational facilities for the whole community.

And the US sect, which boasts famous followers such as Tom Cruise, said neighbouring residents had nothing to fear from the plans, which will see the former Birmingham home of the Ideal Benefit insurance society brought back into use after five years of lying empty.

Tom Cruise

Church of Scientology UK Public Affairs Director Graeme Wilson said: “There is ignorance (of the church) out there. People have pre-conceived ideas of what different religions stand for. There is a suspicion of the unknown, but our policy has always been an open door policy.

“We will preserve all the culture, heritage, dignity and local flavour of this building. We will be opening up the building to all different groups within the community.

“We have a lot of different projects such as tackling drug addiction, human rights education etc. It will be open seven days a week and people will be welcome to come and tour the building – we would welcome ideas and suggestions.

“This will be a community facility and a big boost to the people of Moseley. It is a key centre and Birmingham is such an important city for us.”

Pitmaston House in Moseley

Vicky Ellory, the Church’s Public Affairs Director in Birmingham, said: “The planning still has to go through and it is quite hard to estimate exactly how long the restoration will take but I am hopeful that we will be in there 12 months from now.

“The building is historic and beautiful and restoring it to its former glory is a great project for us.”